Growing up, my family didn’t actively consume mainstream media. When we were in the car, we would listen to "Schoolhouse Rock" cassette tapes instead of the radio. No, my family is not a part of some religious cult; we just weren’t interested in what the mainstream had to say.
At some point in my life, I was exposed to what the mainstream had to say. I became frustrated, and looked for media that first, actually reported the news, and provided commentary I agreed with. I was successful in finding such media, mainly The Young Turks. They had their facts straight and told it as it is. I loved it.
However, I became to find some aspects of such media problematic. To them, if you enjoy something – in this case, pop music – produced by the evil mainstream corporate society of evil imperialism and evil everything, then you’re one of them. You’re a superficial, money-oriented sheep who has nothing valuable to give to the creation of someone’s progressive utopia.
F*ck that.
There are smart pop musicians out there, who realize they can make a ton of money and enjoy themselves doing what they love, as long as they make it sound good and leave it vague enough. What’s wrong with that, if it’s the artist’s intention? In my mind, nothing. If you’re a songwriter and make clear your own deep meaning, there’s nothing wrong with that either. As for which one is better, I would say both, at their best, are equal.
Lyrically, pop music is vague so you can insert yourself and your life. The song’s meaning can be constructed by you and become your therapy. Perhaps you use it to confront a dark secret, a memory, or an experience you’d prefer to forget. Perhaps it’s your personal dream catcher of all your favorite moments, the best days of your life, and your dreams and aspirations. And this is a liberating experience. In such a tired, irritated society, isn’t that what we need?
Is pop music at times toxic? Absolutely. There are some terrible messages being sent to listeners today; “Blurred Lines” first comes to mind. I believe society will have to evolve to have healthier values so songs such as that are never made. But take a song like “Shake It Off.” Sure, it’s repetitive and silly, but what is wrong with a teenage girl using the song as a way to build confidence? But to some people, it’s still bad because she then apparently supports those evil people are OUT TO GET YOU AND OWN YOUR SOUL EVEN THOUGH THEY ALREADY OWN EVERYTHING, INCLUDING YOUR SOUL.
I am not ashamed to justify pop music as nourishing to my brain and human experience. I am not afraid to say that Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster and Trouble by Natalia Kills are my therapy. I am also not afraid to say that I’m a political progressive and am all about that Bernie 2k16. Yes, I can listen to pop music without irony and not be a sheep.
